People often ask me what they should bring to the Maldives. My answer is almost always the same: two setups, one 8-weight and one 12-weight. With those two, you can cover pretty much all the fishing you'll encounter on the flats, along the reef edges and out in the surf, from a wary bonefish in knee-deep water to a GT charging in at full speed behind a school of baitfish.
Here's exactly what I'd pack myself, and why. Everything is available in our shop, so you can buy a complete setup and be sure the rod, reel, line and flies all work together.
Oskar, Outside Travels
Why bring two setups to the Maldives?
Fishing in the Maldives varies quite a bit depending on what you're targeting. Bonefish, triggerfish and bluefin trevally call for precision, gentle presentations and fairly small flies. A GT calls for the opposite: a heavy line, large flies and gear that can handle you pulling with all your might to keep the fish away from the coral.
If you try to do everything with one rod, it'll either be too heavy for flats fishing or too light for GT. That's why I keep an 8-weight rigged for precise fishing and a 12-weight ready in my hand or with the guide for when a GT appears. That moment often comes without warning.
8-weight: bonefish, triggerfish and bluefin trevally
The 8-weight is the rod you'll use most on the flats. It should be able to place a fly gently in front of a bonefish into a headwind, yet still have enough power for a bluefin trevally or a triggerfish heading for the coral.
Oskar's 8-weight setup
Light in hand but with plenty of power in the lower section. Builds high line speed and tight loops that cut through the wind on the flats, and its four-piece design makes it easy to travel with.
View Scott Wave
A super-arbor spool retrieves line quickly when a fish runs toward you, and a sealed, conical drag stands up to saltwater. Weighs 134 grams and holds around 180 yards of backing.
View Speedster S -7+
Built for bonefish, permit and tarpon. A short, powerful head loads the rod quickly and turns over long leaders, while a tropical core stays stiff in the heat.
View the line
20 or 40 flies in a box, hand-picked with our guides for bonefish, triggerfish, bluefin trevally and the other species on the flats. Tied on saltwater hooks from brands including Ahrex and Gamakatsu.
View the fly packageFor 8-weight fishing, I use a 9–12-foot leader with a tippet of around 12–30 lb, depending on the species and the bottom. Lighter for bonefish on sand, heavier for triggerfish and trevally around coral.
12-weight: Giant Trevally
GT is the reason many people travel to the Maldives, and this is where your gear is really put to the test. The fish is strong, fast and knows exactly where the reef edge is. You need a rod that can cast a large fly a long way with few false casts, a line that loads the rod instantly and a reel with a drag that can stop the fish.
Oskar’s 12-weight setup
Scott’s saltwater rod for big fish. Carbon Web technology gives you a rod that tracks straight and lifts heavy line off the water, while the fighting butt makes long fights easier on your wrist.
View Scott Sector
Fully waterproof drag with real stopping power to stop a GT before it reaches the coral edge. Holds 300 yards of backing and has a large drag knob you can turn with wet hands.
View Centerfire 12 HD
Made for GT fishing. One line weight heavier to load the rod quickly with large flies, a 65 lb core and 100 lb loops. The clear marking shows where the line ends when things get fast.
View Titan GT
10 or 20 large baitfish imitations tied on Gamakatsu SL12S hooks, in colors for both sand flats and the surf zone. Selected together with our guides at the destination.
View the GT fliesFor GT, I go short and strong: around 80 lb nylon or fluorocarbon in the surf zone and up to 100 lb on the flats and around the coral. Use a strong knot and check the leader after every fish.
The flies: how to get the most out of our fly selections
Flies are what I most often see people take a chance on. It’s easy to buy what looks good in the shop, but in the Maldives, the bottom, the light and the fish’s mood determine what works. That’s why we’ve put together two fly selections with the guides who fish there every day. The contents may vary a little by season, but the idea is always the same: the right patterns, the right sizes and hooks that hold.
Our fly selections for the Maldives
20 or 40 flies in a box, hand-picked with our guides for bonefish, triggerfish, bluefin trevally and the other species on the flats. Tied on saltwater hooks from brands including Ahrex and Gamakatsu.
View Other Fly Selections
10 or 20 large baitfish imitations tied on Gamakatsu SL12S hooks, in colors for both sand flats and the surf zone. Selected together with our guides at the destination.
See the GT Fly PackageGT flies
The GT flies in the package are large baitfish imitations tied on strong 6/0–8/0 hooks. My rule of thumb for color is to use dark flies in black, black and purple, or black and blue in low light and over bright sand flats, where they create a clear silhouette. In clear water and bright sunlight, lighter colors like tan, olive, and white or chartreuse and white work well. Always bring both options on the boat.
Expect GT flies to get worn out. Teeth, coral, and hard strikes can leave a fly finished after just one fish. That’s why I’d rather take the package with 20 flies than 10, especially on an eight-day trip.
Flies for bonefish, triggerfish, and trevally
The Other Species package includes patterns for the other species on the flats, in different sizes and weights so you can adapt to the depth. For bonefish, classics like Crazy Charlie and Gotcha work well in sizes 4–8. Triggerfish and permit need crab patterns that sink quickly to the bottom. Bluefin trevally and island trevally readily take clouser variations and small baitfish imitations retrieved quickly.
One tip is to choose the weight based on the depth rather than the species. In really shallow water, you want a light fly that lands softly, while a crab fly for a triggerfish in slightly deeper water needs to sink before the fish loses interest.
The full setup at a glance
| 8-weight | 12-weight | |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Bonefish, triggerfish, bluefin trevally, permit | Giant Trevally, larger trevally |
| Rod | Scott Wave 9' #8 | Scott Sector 9' #12 |
| Reel | Lamson Speedster S -7+ | Lamson Centerfire 12 HD |
| Line | SA Amplitude Smooth Grand Slam WF-8 | SA Amplitude Smooth Titan GT WF-12 |
| Leader | 9–12 ft, 12–30 lb tippet | 80–100 lb, short |
| Flies | Maldives Other Species Fly Package | Maldives GT Fly Package |
My tips for your trip
Travel with four-piece rods. Both rods here are four-piece and fit in a standard rod tube, which makes flying much easier.
Bring a spare if you can. Breaking a rod halfway through the week is frustrating, especially a 12-weight. If you can, pack an extra rod or ask us what you can rent at your destination.
Rinse everything in fresh water every evening. Salt water is tough on reels and rod guides. Rinse your reel, rod, and line after every fishing day, and let everything dry before packing it away.
Buy the flies as a package. The fly packages are selected together with the guides, so you don’t have to guess which patterns and colors work best there.
For the full packing list, including clothing, footwear, sun protection and all the practical details, see our Maldives fly fishing packing list. For more on GT fishing itself, see John Kärki’s top tips for Giant Trevally on the fly.
Fish the Maldives with us
We arrange fly fishing trips to the Maldives with local guides, accommodation close to the fishing, and fishing on the flats, reef edges and in the surf zone. The season runs from September to April. If you have any questions about gear or the trip, just get in touch and I’ll be happy to help.
See our fly fishing trip to the Maldives
Frequently asked questions about fly fishing gear for the Maldives
What weight fly rod do you need in the Maldives?+
An 8-weight for bonefish, triggerfish and bluefin trevally, and a 12-weight for Giant Trevally will cover most of the fishing.
Is one fly rod enough for the Maldives?+
You can, but you’ll have to compromise. An 8-weight is too light for GT, and a 12-weight is too heavy for flats fishing. Two setups give you the right tool for each situation.
Which fly line should you use for GT?+
A tropical line with a strong core that loads the rod quickly with large flies, such as the SA Amplitude Smooth Titan GT in WF-12.
How heavy a leader do you need for GT on the fly?+
Around 80 lb in the surf zone and up to 100 lb on the flats and around the coral.
Which flies work in the Maldives?+
Large baitfish imitations in sizes 6/0–8/0 for GT, crab patterns for triggerfish and permit, Crazy Charlie and Gotcha in sizes 4–8 for bonefish, and Clouser variations for bluefin trevally. Our fly selections are put together with the guides.
How many flies should you bring to the Maldives?+
GT flies take a beating from coral and teeth, so bring 20 rather than 10 for a week of fishing. For the other species, 20–40 flies in different sizes and weights will be enough.
When is the fly fishing season in the Maldives?+
The season runs from September to April, with more stable weather and lighter winds.